Allergic contact dermatitis is a frustrating condition. Seemingly out of no where, your skin erupts into a painful, swollen, and itchy red rash. This form of eczema happens when you come into direct contact with a specific allergen. Almost everyone would agree one of the best ways of treating eczema is to prevent it from happening. Prevention can be as simple as avoiding the allergen, but first you have to diagnose your specific allergens.

It is important to remember when diagnosing the condition that it is not an immediate reaction. There are other types of skin rashes that occur almost immediately after coming into contact. Likewise, they begin to improve soon after the allergen is removed. Allergic contact dermatitis can take up to 48 to 72 hours before a reaction can be visible on the skin. The eczema also takes longer to heal. This delayed reaction is why it makes it more difficult to diagnose the specific allergen causing the eczema.

This is why many doctors and eczema experts use patch testing to identify allergens. Patch testing takes in account the delayed and prolonged nature of this type of eczema. In patch testing, low dose strips of specific allergens are attached to the skin for at least two days. If a reaction occurs, especially a red and inflamed spot, then this can be considered one of your allergens. Unfortunately, it will take some time to test for the most common allergens. Also, you may have an uncommon allergy and it will take more time to identify it.

If you are not interested or do not have the time to perform patch testing, you can try to determine the allergen on your own. This process can be complicated. You will need to have patience, take good notes, and have great observational skill.

You should begin determining your allergen by keeping notes about the location of the eczema. Contact dermatitis, just as the name implies, occurs when the allergen touches the skin. If you find you are regularly getting eczema in the same place then you need to journal what regularly touches your skin in that location. If only one item is on your list, then you have easily identified your allergen. If there is more than one item on your list then you will have to use the process of elimination by avoiding all but one allergen for at least 2 weeks. If you have no reaction, expose yourself to another allergen for the next 2 weeks. Continue this process until you have a reaction and can identify your allergen.

This type of reaction happens frequently if you are sensitive to nickel. This is a very common allergen. Nickel is frequently used to make jewelry, watches, and other accessories that touch your skin. If you normally have a rash on your ears, wrist, or neck then your very first suspect should be a nickel allergy.

Some of the other more common culprits for allergic contact dermatitis are items that are around you everyday. Skin care products, rubber and latex, hair dyes, and nail varnish are classic allergens. When you are outside, poison oak and poison ivy are known to cause contact dermatitis. The more uncommon allergies tend to be found in the workplace. Nurses, wood workers, construction workers, welders, painters, and other people who work around unusual chemicals often find that they have an allergy to one or more substances at work. This is called occupational contact dermatitis. You may need your employer to help you identify and control this type of exposure.

Determining the cause of your eczema is the most important step in treating your allergic contact dermatitis. This will help you avoid exposure, control your condition, and actually prevent eczema. The sooner you can identify your allergens, the sooner you can stop your suffering.

To understand more more about Eczema and treatment for Eczema, check out Blake Helton’s articles on the above mentioned links.

categories: eczema,diseases,skin care,alternative,health

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